Emotional Fuel Tank Running on “E”

Taking Care of Ourselves and Setting Boundaries

These are times of intense emotion and deep reflection. For many, the recent events and results of the election have reopened wounds that are raw, hard to heal, and constantly reoccurring. People are grappling with feelings of betrayal, hurt, and grief, not only because of divisive rhetoric but because friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even family members have supported beliefs and leaders that promote prejudice, disregard, harm, and hate.

In this atmosphere, it’s natural to feel heavy, to experience waves of frustration, sadness, and uncertainty. It’s a struggle not just against the outer world but also within —against the exhaustion of witnessing harm and division, the desire to hold onto hope and compassion. This isn't just political; it's personal. It strikes at the heart of our shared humanity and at values we thought we held dearly: respect, fairness, and boundaries.

In challenging times, when values like compassion, respect, and fairness feel tested and compromised, self-care and setting firm boundaries are essential. Many of us feel the weight of charged rhetoric, divisive language, and acts of prejudice that can impact our well-being. Taking care of ourselves, and each other, means not only tending to our mental and emotional health but also making it clear that we will not tolerate disrespect, prejudice, or harmful behaviors going forward. This is a call to prioritize self-respect, uphold our values, and assert that racism, sexism, misogyny, and other forms of bias have no place in our personal lives, our communities, or our workplaces.?

In these turbulent times, many are feeling a profound sense of betrayal, hurt, and grief. The pain runs deep, stemming not just from a contentious political climate and race but from the unsettling reality that friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even family members may not view themsleves as being racist but have absolutely supported someone whose rhetoric, actions, practices openly demonstrated racism, sexism, xenophobia, division, disrespect, and hate. It’s not merely a difference of opinion; it’s an emotional wound that strikes at the heart of our most cherished values—compassion, respect, and decency. This situation has left countless people questioning the values they once believed were universally shared and feeling a loss of trust in the communities they thought they knew and are a part of.

So, in the words of a friend, “just give me a minute, I’m running on ‘E’”. The psychological impact of this moment cannot be understated. Many are experiencing feelings of anger, disillusionment, and isolation, struggling to reconcile the world as they hoped it would be with the reality they now face. For those who have dedicated themselves to building a more respectful and fairer world, the pervasive acceptance of harmful rhetoric feels like a profound setback and forward attack. These feelings aren’t just situational; they cut to the core, making people question their relationships and connections in a way that feels personal, raw, and deeply unsettling. It’s a time of deep introspection and a search for understanding.

On a collective level, this atmosphere has created a palpable tension, leaving communities fractured and workplaces strained. It’s as though an earthquake has cracked the ground under our feet, dividing people not by mere opinions but by fundamental principles. For those who find themselves on the side of compassion and respect, witnessing others endorse or excuse harmful behaviors and hate-filled words can be emotionally draining and profoundly disorienting. It’s a struggle to feel safe, understood, and respected in spaces where harmful attitudes seem to have gained acceptance or indifference and electability.

So, “just give me a minute, I’m running on ‘E’”. Many people may be in the reality of- right now, don’t ask me to move forward. Don’t ask me to bounce back. Don’t ask me to empathize or do any emotional heavy-lifting for others, and sometimes even for myself.

A great analogy that comes to mind is the idea that cars, planes, and trains turn their engines off and they sit still while going through a refueling process. When we’re surrounded by rhetoric that sanctions harm and fosters division, it’s more important than ever to care for ourselves and set firm boundaries that allow us to take time to refuel. So, "just give me a minute!"

By: Dr. Steven Jones, CEO

Global LeaderSHYFT, inc.